For just a $25 donation, you can help homeless animals and showcase your pet to more than half a million viewers who visit our website every year.

Photo submissions will be accepted July 1 to 31. You can vote from July 1 to August 8, noon HST. Refer to the Rules page to ensure your photo meets the requirements to be eligible for calendar consideration.

Each photo entry is only $25, and votes are $1 each (5 vote minimum donation). Enter your pet and the spread the word to friends and family to gather the most votes. All donations are non-refundable.

Photos submitted must be uploaded in full color, high quality (300 dpi minimum) resolution in a horizontal format.

No people, just pets.

Photos may contain more than one pet.

Enter as many photos/pets as you want.

Photo must be available in a high resolution file, at least 300 dpi and 1 megabyte in size.

All pets entered into the contest will be featured in a flash presentation on our website home page for a year. The top three pet photos with the most votes will receive the following fabulous prizes:

Feature in our January 2015 Newsletter which is delivered to nearly 25,000 supporters

Feature on our website with a billboard flash banner at the top of the page

The best pet photos are taken at the animal’s height, so try to align your camera at his eye level.

Pay attention to your backdrop. Your pet is the star, not your busy kitchen or living room. Bright colors or open, natural settings work well and create a nice contrast. Photos that showcase the contest theme "Pets in Paradise” are popular with voters.

Pets with ID tags or showcase responsible pet ownership increase your chances of being included in the calendar. Just remember that photos with corporate or commercial logos are ineligible.

Use natural light when you can as a flash can startle pets and cause the dreaded red eye. When you’re indoors, natural light from windows or skylights is the way to go. If you’re outdoors, aim to shoot early or late in the day or during overcast weather so you are not getting direct sunlight. At the least, keep the sun at your back.

Keep the mood fun and use toys and treats to hold your pet’s attention and keep things exciting.

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Liz Rizzo lives in Honolulu with her Golden Retriever, Buddy ,who is a local dog celebrity. Buddy is the brains behind the column 'Ask Buddy the Dog'. Buddy met President Obama in Hawaii. Liz is a member of the Dog Writers Association of America and volunteers her time at a local dog shelter; Friends for Life and supports the Pets and Women's Shelters (PAWS) a program for battered women and their pets. Visit askbuddythedog.com or contact Liz or Buddy at askbuddy@hawaii.rr.com.